This was not intended to be Johnny Griffin's last record
date but it may turn out that way. Having recently celebrated his
80th birthday, Johnny appeared at the Ronnie Scott club in London
in May last year but he sadly died a couple of months later. His dexterity
on the tenor sax had earned him such nicknames like "The Little
Giant" (he was about five-and-a-half feet tall) and "The
Fastest Gun in the West" - although on this session he couldn't
quite manage to keep up with such fast tempos as that for the opening
Lester Leaps In. However, he opens the tune unaccompanied,
with the familiar Griffin fire still blazing. Pianist James Pearson
flies the flag for Britain, and Billy Cobham contributes a scintillating
drum solo.

Roy Hargrove's smooth tone on the flugelhorn is heard
to advantage on When We Were One, where the slower tempo allows
Griffin to play with tender eloquence, and David Newton plays some
intriguing tricks at the top of the piano. Newton is also outstanding
in his Debussyesque solo on Mentor. The Blues Walk allows
Griffin to display his lifelong allegiance to the blues.

Veteran German pianist Paul Kuhn guests on How Deep
is the Ocean? with just the bass and drums as accompaniment. He
also sings, but with only an approximation of the melody.

The album ends with two Griffin originals. The JAMES
Are Coming is a loping blues with virile trumpet from Roy Hargrove,
classy piano by David Newton, relaxed tenor sax from Griffin, and
a good bass solo from Reggie Johnson, who is omitted from the personnel
listing on the back sleeve. Hot Sake is a storming piece (based
on the chords of What is This Thing Called Love?) on which
Johnny, Roy and David really go to town.

This CD certainly doesn't show Johnny Griffin at his
best but it captures him clearly enjoying himself in a live setting,
where he was often happiest, and it makes a fitting, if poignant,
farewell to a great jazzman.